Pay panel wants Telecom Commission wound up

The Sixth Pay Commission has urged the government that all Indian Telecom Service (Group A) officers be absorbed in the public sector telecom service providers, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) and Mahanagar Telecom Nigam Ltd (MTNL), or sent to the surplus pool.

It has also suggested winding up of the Telecom Commission saying BSNL and MTNL now provide extensive services along with several private sector operators.

"No need, therefore, exists for retaining a separate Telecom Commission in this (telecom) department," says the report.

The report states there is no need to retain the ITS (Group A), a technical service under the central government with the current cadre strength of around 2,400.

These officers were earlier performing the role of providing telecom services, a function that has since been corporatised. "Continued necessity of retaining ITS (Group A) does not, therefore, exist," says the report.

The commission has also called for increased role of the private sector in manning government research and training institutions for specific industrial sectors. A 50:50 public-private partnership (PPP) to share the expenditure on running such institutions has been recommended.

The commission denied the requests for special allowances to National Sugar Institute and National Test House saying their research on sugar technology and training benefits the industry.

"It is appropriate that these and other similar institutions are run on a public-private partnership model with the sugar industry/cooperatives bearing 50 per cent of the total expenditure on such research," said the commission.

Suggesting corporatisation of the railways to provide appropriate remuneration to its employees and enhance performance, the commission has said that a separate dispensation in terms of pay scales and allowances is not possible as long as the organisation continues to be a central ministry.

In an interesting observation, the pay panel has found that the government is spending over Rs 10 crore to maintain the office of the Salt Commissioner, which looks after the collection of salt cess (Rs 2.5 crore) and ground rent fee (around Rs 1 crore). The commission wants the office to be wound up.

In view of the presence of a number of low-cost airlines, the commission has sought an extension of the eligibility criteria for air travel for official and leave travel purposes to all employees who have a minimum grade pay of Rs 5,400.

However, the employees will not be allowed to use the mileage points offered by airlines for subsequent private travel.

Thus, all mileage points earned by the employees will be used by the departments concerned for official travel.

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OTHER PROPOSALS

All dispensaries run by the Department of Posts be merged with the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) and all postal employees, including retired personnel, covered by the CGHS

Use of regular constable, combatant, other employees of the government as suraksha sahayaks at the residences of senior officials be stopped immediately. In case of any violation, the salary payable to the suraksha sahayak be recovered from the officer.

Introduction of a scheme of contractual appointment for scientists and engineers in the Departments of Space and Atomic Energy. Need for special additional budgetary support.